Garrapata State Park
The Park is currently OPEN.
Please check the hours of operation.Park Facilities
Big Sur State Parks Open for Summer
Update (July 15, 2024)
Access to Big Sur State Parks and surrounding businesses via Hwy 1 was restored on Friday, May 17, 2024. A new traffic signal was installed to monitor one-lane, alternating North and South traffic, and delays in travel time are to be expected. State Parks is proud to have been a significant contributing agency to the emergency response effort following the Hwy 1 road slip out. During the closure we provided equipment staging facilities, emergency response, medical evacuation areas, and facilities for the community members and visitors that were temporarily stranded in Big Sur. We have shifted our operations from emergency support back to our regular State Parks Day use programs and campground activities.
State Parks opened to camping on Thursday, May 23, 2024, along with other accommodations that provide overnight alternatives to camping, including the Big Sur Lodge, located inside the Pfeiffer Big Sure State Park.
NOTE: Highway 1 is still closed to the south 5 miles south of Julia Pfeiffer Burns. Please see the Highway 1 closure info and maps on our websites.Highway 1 remains closed between Dolan Point and Limekiln Creek. While motorists on Highway 1 can now drive to the Limekiln State Park entrance gate from the Cambria/San Simeon area, the park remains closed.
For more information about USFS properties, please visit USFS - Los Padres National Forest - Big Sur Los Padres National Forest - Home (usda.gov)
For current highway closures and conditions please visit CalTrans - Road Conditions Map
Always check area weather forecasts and road updates before visiting. NOAA Weather- Big Sur
ABOUT GARRAPATA STATE PARK
Garrapata State Park has two miles of beach front, with coastal hiking and a 50-foot climb to a beautiful view of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, a federal marine protected area. The park offers diverse coastal vegetation with trails running from ocean beaches into dense redwood groves. The park also features outstanding coastal headlands at Soberanes Point. Sea lions, harbor seals and sea otters frequent the coastal waters and California gray whales pass close by during their yearly migration.
Location-Directions
The park is located on Highway 1, 6.7 miles south of Rio Road in Carmel (18 miles north of Big Sur).
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
The weather can be changeable. Layered clothing is advised.
Due to the high volume of visitors to the Big Sur area, please use extreme caution when parking and when accessing trails on either side of Hwy 1.
SOBERANES CANYON TRAIL and ROCKY RIDGE TRAIL
Located on the East side of Highway 1, the Soberanes Canyon Trail is currently open. The Rocky Ridge Trail is CLOSED due to hazardous conditions.
The Soberanes Trail is open exclusively from the main, gated trailhead on the east side of Highway 1, across from Gate 8 of the Garrapata Coastal Trail. The hike is along the 1.25 mile length of the trail to the back of the canyon. Plan on an out and back hike as the Rocky Ridge portion of the trail is closed due to hazardous conditions.
Due to the high volume of visitors to the Big Sur area, please use extreme caution when parking and when accessing trails on either side of Hwy 1.
October 4, 2023 - Garrapata State Park Coastal Trail Improvement Project and Coastal Trail Closures Begin
California State Parks - Monterey District is embarking on a large trail improvement project for Garrapata State Park on October 4th, 2023.
The Garrapata Coastal Trail will be closed at the north end between Gates 1 and 3 through 2024.
DOGS
There is limited access for dogs on leash at the Garrapata State Park beach area:
Dogs ON LEASH are ONLY allowed on the beach at Gate 19 (south end of park) and on the trails leading to it.
Dogs are NOT allowed in all other areas, including across Hwy 1 in the Soberanes Canyon Trail area.
Thank you for partnering with CA State Parks to protect our habitat areas' wildlife by adhering to dogs on leash regulations!
Marine Protected Area Coloring Book - Area Marina Protegida - Libro Para Colorear
Embark on a journey of discovery about Marine protection in a fun and easy way!!
The Marine Protected Areas Coloring Book - Area Marina Protegida - Libro Para Colorear - helps students of all ages learn about the rich diversity of plant and animal life found in California's Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The book includes three new 3D augmented reality coloring pages that will allow students to interact with their colorings using a smartphone or tablet while learning about marine life and California's marine protected areas.
Download the new marine protected area (MPA) coloring book along with the California Coastal Explorer Guide at: https://www.mpacollaborative.org/kids/
